Renting a yacht on the French Riviera sounds like something reserved for film stars and billionaires, but the reality is much more varied. On the same stretch of coast you can hire a small licence-free boat for a couple of hundred euros or charter a crewed motor yacht for the price of a small car. The price depends on five things: the type of boat, the departure port, the season, the length of the trip and whether you need a skipper. This guide walks through each of them with real numbers, so you can set a realistic budget before you start comparing boats.
Average yacht rental prices on the Riviera in 2026
There is no official tariff for yacht rental. Every owner and charter company sets its own prices, and the same boat can cost noticeably more on a Saturday in August than on a Tuesday in June. To give you a useful starting point, we looked at the roughly 750 boats currently listed on Riviera To Do between Menton and Saint-Tropez. The figures below are "from" prices for one day, as shown by the owners in October 2026. They are a snapshot, not a promise: the final price for your dates may be higher or lower.
Licence-free boats
Small boats with an engine of 6 hp or less can be driven in France without a boating licence. In Cannes they start at around €130 a day, and most cost between €200 and €300. They are slow and suited to calm water close to the shore, but they are perfect for a family swim in a nearby bay.
Motorboats and RIBs
This is the largest category and the one most people actually book when they search for a "yacht". Day prices start at around €100–150 in Nice, Cannes and Antibes, and the typical listing sits between €400 and €500 a day. Rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) cost about the same and are popular for fast trips to the islands. In Monaco and Saint-Tropez the same category is more expensive, with a typical motorboat closer to €900 a day.
Sailing boats
Sailboats are often the cheapest way to spend a full day at sea on a real yacht. In Cannes they start at around €110 a day and typically cost €350–550. They are slower than motorboats, so they suit a relaxed day with one or two swimming stops rather than a tour of the whole coast.
Catamarans
Catamarans start at around €675 a day in Cannes and €1,100 in Nice, with most listings around €2,000. That sounds like a big jump, but a catamaran comfortably carries a group of ten or more, so the cost per person is often lower than on a small motorboat.
Motor yachts
This is what most people picture when they think of a Riviera yacht: a large boat with a cabin, a sun deck and usually a professional skipper or crew. Prices start at around €1,000–1,500 a day in Antibes and Cannes, the typical listing costs €2,700–3,500, and the largest boats in Cannes exceed €15,000 a day.
Boat rental or yacht charter: what are you really looking for?
The word "yacht" is used very loosely on the Riviera. Someone searching for a yacht rental in Nice or Cannes is often looking for a small motorboat, a RIB or a day cruiser rather than a 20-metre motor yacht. Before you compare prices, be honest about what you want from the day.
If the goal is swimming, coastal sightseeing and a visit to the islands, a smaller boat is more than enough and costs a fraction of the price. A larger yacht makes sense when the boat itself is part of the experience: a birthday, a proposal, a corporate event, or a full day with crew, lunch on board and space for everyone to lie in the sun.
Do you need a skipper?
In France you need a boating licence (the permis plaisance) to drive any motorboat with more than 6 hp. Most visitors do not have one, so a skipper is often the only option. Even if you are licensed, a skipper has real advantages: they know the local anchorages, the rules for the 300-metre coastal strip where speed is limited to 5 knots, and the places where anchoring is restricted to protect the seagrass meadows.
With a skipper, you simply board, choose where you want to swim and enjoy the coastline. On larger motor yachts the skipper and crew are usually included. On smaller boats, check carefully: the skipper may be included in the price, offered as an option, or charged separately per day or per hour.
Extra costs to expect
The headline rental price is rarely the final price. Depending on the boat and the owner, you may also pay for:
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Fuel. On motorboats it is often charged after the trip according to actual consumption, and a fast boat running all day can use a lot of it.
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Skipper or crew, if not already included.
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Food and drinks, or a catering package on larger yachts.
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Mooring fees if you stop in another port, for example Monaco or Saint-Tropez.
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Water toys such as paddleboards, towables or snorkelling kits.
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End-of-rental cleaning.
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A security deposit, usually taken as a card pre-authorisation and released after the trip if there is no damage.
A boat listed at €400 can end up closer to €600 once fuel and a skipper are added, while a €700 boat with everything included may be the better deal. Always compare the total cost, not the headline price. A tip for the skipper is appreciated after a good day but is not compulsory.
Nice, Cannes, Antibes or Monaco: does the port change the price?
Yes, but less than you might think, and the route matters more than the price. Cannes has the widest choice on the coast, which keeps prices competitive, and it is the natural starting point for the Lérins Islands, Antibes and the red rocks of the Esterel. Nice is convenient for Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Monaco, with prices similar to Cannes but a smaller selection. Antibes is a good middle ground with a large fleet of motorboats.
Monaco and Saint-Tropez are the premium ports. A typical motorboat there costs about twice as much as in Nice or Cannes. If you simply want to see Monaco from the sea, it is usually cheaper to leave from Nice or Villefranche and cruise east than to rent in Monaco itself.
When is yacht rental cheaper?
The boating season on the Riviera runs roughly from May to October. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months, and the best boats are booked weeks in advance. Late May, June and September offer warm water, calmer ports and more availability, often at lower prices. Large events such as the Cannes Film Festival in May or the Monaco Grand Prix push prices up sharply in those towns.
Weekdays are usually cheaper and quieter than weekends. If your dates are flexible, compare the same boat on several days before booking. A half-day rental is another way to save: most owners offer morning or afternoon slots at roughly 60–70% of the full-day price.
How much should you budget?
A few example budgets for one day in high season, based on current listings:
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Couple or small family, licence-free boat close to Cannes or Antibes: around €200–350 plus a little fuel.
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Four to six friends, motorboat or RIB with skipper from Nice or Cannes: around €500–900 including fuel, so roughly €100–150 per person.
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Group of ten, skippered catamaran for a full day: around €1,500–2,500, often the best value per person.
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Special occasion, crewed motor yacht: from about €2,500 and well above for larger boats or Monaco departures.
How to choose the right boat
Before searching, answer four questions. Where do you want to depart from? How many people are coming? Do you need a skipper? And what do you actually want to do: swim, see several towns, celebrate, or simply spend the day at anchor? A romantic sunset cruise, a family swimming day and a luxury celebration each call for a different boat.
Once you know the answers, read each listing carefully: maximum number of passengers, what is included, fuel policy, deposit and cancellation terms in case of bad weather. Owner reviews are worth reading too, especially comments about the skipper and the condition of the boat. With that in hand, you can compare a handful of boats on equal terms and book with confidence.
